Urban Wildlife

Early one Friday morning in June, Donnie the Pekin duck was preparing to fly south—via US Airways. Tucked inside a soft-sided pet carrier, we made our way through the airport, keeping our fingers crossed that Donnie would make it through check-in and security without any trouble. We had called the airline ahead of time to confirm that Donnie would be allowed in the cabin, but knowing that ducks probably aren’t an everyday sight for travelers and airline staff, we proceeded with caution.

2011 has been another busy year for our field services team, comprised of our Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) and Animal Care and Control Officers. To date, our field services division has responded to nearly 15,000 new calls, including over 1,300 cases of animal cruelty and neglect investigated by our HLE officers.

What would you expect a four-and-three-quarter-year-old to say at the end of a four-and-a-half-mile hike that she just finished using her own two feet? “What a wonderful day,” Sofi announced when we walked past the old Tavern (that I was wishing was still a tavern) at Great Falls National Park.

Two young pigs were at the center of a football rivalry between Gonzaga College High School and Saint John’s college high school.

During a November 4th game at Gonzaga High someone spray painted ST. JOHN’S on both pigs and then released them onto the football field. The poor animals were frightened and in a panic. Luckily, students and staff members were able to safely corral the pigs into an equipment shed until Animal Control arrived.

Last weekend, two deer tried to move in with the French ambassador. The animals wandered on to the ambassador’s property in Northwest, DC and refused to leave. Several Animal Control Officers were called to help relocate the two deer back to Rock Creek Park where they originally came from. The ambassador's home, while very nice, was not deer friendly. The property was too small, there was not enough grass or leaves for the deer to eat, and if they tried to jump the tall fence they could get hurt.

It took the ACOs nearly five hours to safely sedate both deer and transport them back to Rock Creek Park. Once back home, the animals were woken up and released back into the woods.

The deer may not have understood what we were trying to do for them, but they are now safe. We would like to thank the wonderful staff at the French Ambassador’s home for assisting us in this rescue.